Improvement in umbrellas



T. W. WA-RFIELD.

UMBRELLA. N'o.'174,88o,. 1 Patented March 14, 1876.

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",FETERS, FHUTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D C.

i NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. WARFIELD, OF BA TIMORE, MARYL ND.

IMPROVEMENT IN UMBRELLAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 174,880, dated March 14, 1876; application filed August 26, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TnoMAs WALLACE WARFIELD, of Baltimore city and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My object is to obtain a more eflective and convenient means for fastening and unfastening the runner of an umbrella when the coveris raised, and in connection therewith avoid the objectionof the long slits or cuts in the stafi required for the spring-catches, and which weaken the staff so much.

The umbrella-staff is provided with a staple, and the runner is combined with the cup for the rib-tips in such manner that the cup forms a sleeve for the runner, while the latter has a cam spring-catch for co-operation with the staff-staple, and constitutes the means for fastening the runner to hold the cover in position when raised. The cup is provided with an interior cam in position to release the runner-catch when desired to lower the cover. The cup also has an interior coilspring, arranged between a sleeve projecting downward from the cup and over the runnersleeve, and constantly tends to force the cup upward against the runner-flange, in order thereby that when the cup is drawn down against the tension of the spring the cam of the cup will pass over the cam of the runnerspring, and, pressing the catch inward, thereby effect its release from the staff-staple to lower the cover. This is effected by simply seizing the cup-sleeve and drawing it downward a short distance over the runner-sleeve to release the catch. In the lowered position of the cover the cup springs over and retains the ends 'of the ribs or bows, as in this combined runner and cup the cover-stays and ribs terminate at or about the same point.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of my improved fastening device for umbrellas in the position when fastened to hold the umbrella up. Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3, a similar section, showing the cup-sleeve drawn down to release the runner-catch from the stafi-staple.

At the proper point the staff A is provided with a staple, a, and the runner b has a vertical spring-catch, c, which, being always held in proper position by the bracing action of the stays d, enters the staple a with its hook end when the runner is raised, and fastens the latter to hold the umbrella up. The end of the catch is so shaped as to enter freely the staple and spring out over it when raised to its full height. The cup B has a downwardly-projecting sleeve, 6, which fits over the sleeve f of the runner, and the cup is thereby com- .bined with and forms a part of the runner, and has a limited movement upon the sleeve thereof, for a purpose which will be presently stated. The runner-sleevef has a circumferentia-l shoulder, 9, near its lower end, and the cup B has an interior flange, h, and between these projections, and within the space formed thereby and between the sleeves, a spiral spring, 6, is arranged, the function of which is to constantly. press the cup upward against the flange of the runner. The spring-catch c is provided with a cam, j, and the interior of the cup-sleeve c has a cam, 70, and these cams are so arranged that when the cup-sleeve is drawn down its cam is will pass over the cam j of the spring-catch c, and bearing the latter inward, release its hold upon the staple a, thus leaving the frame free to be closed. In this action the sleeve 6 of the cup is grasped instead of the runner-sleeve. When lowered, the cup is sprung over the ends of the ribs or bows, butbeing carried by the runner and combined therewith, serves the new function of unfastening the umbrella when raised, and when lowered holds the ribs closed. The cup B is thereby carried out of the way when the umbrella is raised, and the combined device is simple and effective in its purpose, while its use avoids the slitting of the umbrella-stall and the usual thumb-spring within the slits.

I do not claim the combination with an auxiliary runner, arranged to control the locking-spring of an umbrellg, o a rill-tip holder; what I give to the puhlio as my in;- vention is specifically stated.

I'claim-- 1. The runner b, having a spring-catch, 0,

provided with Mam), i up Bi aY n cm. s

k and the spring 01, andstafE-staple a, all combined and arranged to operate substantially as described and for the purpose stated,

2. The tip-cup B, provided with an interior can It, in; combination with the cam j. of v the 

